JP5327612B2 - Fixing apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing device for softening toner, maintaining capability of a softening agent until an image is formed on a medium, and eliminating a tack feeling by decomposing an unnecessary softening agent after that, and to provide an image forming apparatus and a fixing liquid storage container. <P>SOLUTION: The fixing device foams the fixing liquid containing at least the softening agent for softening resin containing particles containing resin, a foaming agent, and water by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin, and controls film thickness of foamed fixing liquid to be given to fine particles containing the resin, to be fixed. The fixing device has: a first holding means for storing a softening agent solution containing at least the softening agent; a second holding means for storing foaming agent solution containing at least the foaming agent; a third holding means for storing softening agent decomposition accelerator liquid containing at least decomposition accelerator of the softening agent; and a mixed foamed fixing liquid generation means for foaming liquid stored independently in each holding means by mixing to generate foamed fixing liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a fixing device and an image forming equipment, in particular for fixing a toner is fine particles containing a resin with a fixer foam for fixing the fine particles containing the resin to a medium (foam) technology About.

  Image forming apparatuses such as printers, facsimile machines, and copying machines are apparatuses that form images including characters and symbols on recording media such as paper, cloth, and OHP sheets based on image information. In particular, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are widely used in offices because they can form high-definition images on plain paper at high speed. In such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a heat fixing method is widely used in which toner on a recording medium is heated and melted, and the molten toner is pressurized to fix the toner on the recording medium. Yes. This thermal fixing method is preferably used because it can provide a high fixing speed and high fixed image quality.

  However, about half or more of the power consumption in such an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is consumed in heating the toner in the heat fixing method. On the other hand, a low power consumption (energy saving) fixing device is desired from the viewpoint of countermeasures for environmental problems in recent years. That is, there is a demand for a fixing method in which the temperature for heating the toner for fixing the toner is extremely lowered than before, or the toner does not need to be heated. In particular, the non-heat fixing method in which the toner is fixed to the recording medium without heating the toner at all is ideal in terms of low power consumption.

  As such a non-heat fixing method, for example, an oil-in-water type fixing agent in which a toner can be dissolved or swelled and an organic compound insoluble or hardly soluble in water is dispersed and mixed in water is used. Patent Document 1 proposes a toner wet fixing method in which a toner is dissolved or swollen by spraying or dripping from the surface of the fixing object disposed at the position, and then the fixing object is dried.

  However, in the wet fixing method disclosed in Patent Document 1, an oil-in-water type fixing agent in which an organic compound insoluble or hardly soluble in water is dispersed and mixed in water is used. When applied to the recording medium, the recording medium such as transfer paper (non-fixed material) absorbs moisture of the fixing agent, and the recording medium is wrinkled and curled. This significantly impairs the stable and high-speed conveyance of the recording medium required for the image forming apparatus. Therefore, if water is removed from the fixing agent applied to the recording medium by evaporating a large amount of water contained in the fixing agent using a drying device, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus using the thermal fixing method is reduced. You will need comparable power.

  In addition, several oil-based fixing solutions in which a material that dissolves or swells toner is dissolved in an oil-based solvent have been proposed as fixing solutions that do not repel water-repellent unfixed toner. As one example, for example, in Patent Document 2, an aliphatic dibasic acid ester or the like containing a material that dissolves or swells the resin component constituting the toner as a diluent (solvent) is diluted with nonvolatile dimethyl silicone. Fixing solutions (dissolved) have been proposed. In Patent Document 3, toner is used as a fixing solution that can be used in a fixing method in which an unfixed image formed by an electrostatic method can be clearly and easily fixed on an image receiving sheet without disturbing the image. A solution for fixing an unfixed toner image in a compatible state, in which 8 to 120 parts by volume of a silicone oil is mixed with 100 volumes of a solvent that is dissolved and compatible with the silicone oil, has been proposed. Such an oil-based fixing solution contains an oil-based solvent having a high affinity with the water-repellent-treated unfixed toner, so that the toner is dissolved or swollen without repelling the water-repellent-treated unfixed toner, The toner can be fixed on the recording medium.

  According to Patent Document 4, a foam-like fixing liquid is applied to fine particles containing a resin such as toner on a medium such as paper without disturbing the fine particle layer on the medium, and After the fixing liquid is applied to the medium on which the resin-containing fine particles are adhered, the resin-containing fine particles are quickly fixed on the medium.

  However, in any of the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 to 3, the fixing solution is applied to the unfixed toner layer. However, as shown in FIG. In the configuration in which the fixing solution is applied to the unfixed toner layer 3, the thickness of the fixing solution layer 4 on the application roller 1 is applied as shown in FIG. Is thinner than the unfixed toner layer 3, the unfixed toner particles are pulled by the surface tension generated by the liquid film of the fixing liquid on the surface of the coating roller 1 at the position where the coating roller 1 is peeled from the recording medium 2. Toner particles adhere to the surface of the roller 1 and the image on the recording medium 2 is greatly disturbed.

  On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the thickness of the fixing liquid layer 4 on the application roller 1 is made sufficiently thicker than that of the unfixed toner layer 3, the application roller 1 is separated from the recording medium 2. Since the amount of the liquid is large, the surface tension due to the liquid film on the surface of the coating roller 1 is less likely to directly act on the toner particles, and the toner does not adhere to the roller side. 2 causes toner particles to flow due to an excessive fixing solution, resulting in deterioration of image quality, and a longer drying time, resulting in a problem in fixing response. Further, since a sticky feeling (hereinafter referred to as “tackiness”) is generated in the fixed image, a phenomenon called blocking occurs that sticks to a certain medium when it is overlapped. Then, if the toner image is stuck and then peeled off, the toner image is not completely peeled off and the fixed image is disturbed.

  In addition, since aliphatic esters and carbonates that are softening agents in the fixing solution are materials that are difficult to volatilize, excess softening agents remain on a medium such as paper after fixing. As a result, the toner is not completely solidified, and the toner on the medium remains tacky, and when it is overlapped with some medium, blocking that sticks to the medium occurs. Further, if the toner is stuck and then peeled off, the toner is not completely peeled off and the fixed image is disturbed.

  Further, according to Patent Document 4, the softening agent that softens the resin-containing fine particles remains even after fixing, and the fixed image also has a sticky feeling.

The present invention is for solving these problems. The softener ability is maintained until the toner is softened and an image is formed on the medium. to abolish the and to provide a fixing device and an image forming equipment can.

  In order to solve the above problems, the fixing device of the present invention contains at least a softening agent that softens resin-containing fine particles containing a resin by dissolving or swelling at least part of the resin, a foaming agent, and water. The formed fixing solution is foamed, and the film thickness of the foamed fixing solution is controlled and applied to the resin-containing fine particles. The fixing device of the present invention includes a first holding unit that stores at least a softener liquid containing a softening agent, a second holding unit that stores at least a foaming agent liquid containing a foaming agent, and at least A third holding means for storing a softener decomposition accelerator liquid containing a softening agent decomposition accelerator, and a foam-like fixing liquid formed by mixing the liquids stored in an independent state by each holding means It is characterized by having a mixed foam-like fixing liquid generating means. The softener degradation accelerator is a hydrolase. Therefore, the ability of the softening agent is maintained until the toner is softened and an image is formed on the medium. Thereafter, the excess softening agent is decomposed and the tackiness can be lost.

  Further, the mixed foam-like fixing liquid generating means has a stirring mechanism for stirring the mixed liquid in which the liquids stored independently by the respective holding means are mixed, so that the dissolution / dispersion uniformity of the liquids during mixing is improved. As a result, it is possible to obtain a fixed image that is not only stable in fixing quality but also free of tackiness.

  Further, the mixed foam fixing liquid generating means generates a mixed liquid generating means for generating a mixed liquid obtained by mixing the liquids stored in an independent state by each holding means, and forms the mixed liquid to form a foam fixing liquid. And a foam-like fixer generating means. Therefore, the dissolution / dispersion uniformity of the liquids during mixing is increased, and the fixing quality is stabilized.

  In addition, a supply flow path for supplying the softener liquid from the first holding means, the foaming agent liquid from the second holding means, and the softener decomposition accelerator liquid from the third holding means, respectively, The fluid resistance of the confluence channel where the supply channels merge is smaller than the fluid resistance of each supply channel. Accordingly, the liquids can be uniformly dissolved and dispersed without providing a special stirring mechanism, and the fixing device and the fixing liquid storage container can be easily downsized.

  Further, another image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image forming means for forming an unfixed toner image on a medium by performing an electrostatic recording process with toner in which resin-containing fine particles contain a colorant, and unfixed by the fixing device. The image forming apparatus includes a fixing unit that fixes the toner image on the medium. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with high storage solution reliability and excellent storage stability.

  According to the fixing device of the present invention, the softening agent liquid, the foaming agent liquid, and the softening agent decomposition accelerator liquid are stored independently by the first, second, and third holding means, and the liquids are mixed together. While forming into a foam, a foam-like fixing solution is produced. Therefore, after fixing, an excess softener is decomposed, and a fixed image without a feeling of tack can be obtained, and fixing reliability is dramatically improved.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the mode of fixation of the resin containing fine particle after the fixing liquid provision in the principle of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of a foamy fixing solution. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a fixing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of a liquid mixing part. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing the structure of a fixing solution storage container suitable for the fixing device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another fixing solution storage container suitable for the fixing device of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus of another invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an offset state generated in a conventional fixing device.

30; fixing device, 31; softener liquid-sealed container,
32; foaming agent liquid sealed container, 33; softener decomposition accelerator liquid sealed container,
34-36; liquid conveyance pump, 37; bubbling tank,
38; air pump, 39; microporous sheet,
40; Foam-type fixing liquid generating means; 41; Supply port; 42; Application roller;
43; Foam film control blade; 44; Pressure roller; 45; Main control unit;
50; liquid mixing part, 51-53; flow path, 54, 90; mixed liquid flow path,
60, 80; fixer storage container, 61-63; container,
64-66, 87-89; supply port, 67-69, 91; sealing rubber,
70-72,100; supply pipe,
81; Softener liquid storage container, 82; Foaming liquid storage container,
83; Softener decomposition accelerator liquid storage container, 84 to 86; Pressure plate,
92; mixed liquid supply port, 93 to 95; pressure actuator,
96-98; hole, 99; stirring blade, 200; image forming apparatus.

First, the background and principle of the fixing device of the present invention will be outlined.
When an anionic surfactant that is most foamable in a pH of 7 or more and 9 or less, particularly an aqueous liquid containing a fatty acid salt and an aqueous liquid containing a softener having an ester group are mixed. During the long-term storage, there is a problem that the softener is chemically decomposed by hydrolysis. Therefore, as a means for solving this problem, in the storage container, the aqueous liquid containing the foaming agent (pH = 7) and the aqueous liquid containing the softening agent are stored in an independent state and stored in the container or the fixing device. Thus, it is conceivable to mix these aqueous liquids together with the operation of the fixing apparatus, immediately foam to produce a foam-like fixing liquid, and apply the resultant to a fine resin particle layer such as unfixed toner adhered to the medium. The reason why the liquid containing the softening agent decomposition accelerator is not mixed in the liquid containing the foaming agent is that a hydrolase that decomposes the ester group of the anionic surfactant is used.

  Here, when the foam fixing solution to which the present invention is applied is outlined, as shown in FIG. 1, the fixing solution is a foam fixing solution 14 composed of bubbles by a foam fixing solution generating means described later. Since the density of the fixing liquid can be lowered, the fixing liquid layer on the application roller 11 shown in FIG. 1 can be increased to a desired layer thickness, and the influence of the surface tension of the fixing liquid can be suppressed. It was found that offset of the resin-containing fine particles 13 can be prevented. Further, when the size of the resin-containing fine particles 13 is about 5 μm to 10 μm, in order to apply the foam-like fixing solution 14 to the resin-containing fine particle layer without disturbing the resin-containing fine particle layer on the recording medium 12, It was found that a bubble diameter range of 14 required about 5 μm to 50 μm. As shown in FIG. 2, the foam-like fixing solution 20 composed of bubbles 22 is composed of a liquid film boundary (hereinafter referred to as a plateau boundary) 21 that separates the bubbles 22.

  By the way, as the foaming agent for the foam-like fixing solution, among the surfactants, anionic surfactants can realize excellent foaming properties and foam stability. In particular, among anionic surfactants, fatty acid salts have the highest foam stability and are most suitable as foaming agents for fixing solutions. On the other hand, the softening agent has a strong defoaming effect, and as the concentration of the softening agent increases in the fixing solution, the foaming property and foam stability of the fixing solution deteriorates, so it is difficult to foam and the foam breaks immediately. It becomes impossible to obtain a foam-like fixing solution having a low foam density.

  Therefore, in order to solve the problem of foaming deterioration when the concentration of the softening agent in the fixing solution is increased, various prototypes were made using the type and concentration of the anionic surfactant as factors. Further, a prototype was made by paying attention to a technique called “super fat” described in Non-Patent Document 1, that is, a free fatty acid contained in a solid detergent (soap). Here, to outline the technology called super fat, it is a method of adding a small amount of free fatty acids that are difficult to oxidize to increase the excess fat and oil, leaving a small amount of fat and oil that is not saponified, for example, to enhance the moisturizing action, etc. It is said to be effective. In Non-Patent Document 1, it is known that when a very small amount of fatty acid is added to a soap water-based system, foaming performance is improved and foam quality becomes more creamy, which is called super fat soap. Have been described. Similar to this super fat, an attempt was made to foam by adding a very small amount of fatty acid to a fixing solution having a softening agent, but both foamability and foam stability were poor.

  However, as described later, according to the present invention, a softening agent that softens fine particles containing a resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin, a diluting solvent, and a decomposition accelerator for the softening agent are used. It is characterized by mixing just before. As a result, it has been found that a fixed image without sticky feeling (tackiness) can be provided. Here, the foamy fixing solution of the present invention will be described in detail. In the fixing solution containing a softener, the number of carbon atoms of the fatty acid salt is 12 to 18 as compared with the case where water is simply foamed. Excellent foamability. Specifically, laurate (12 carbon atoms), myristate (14 carbon atoms), palmitate (16 carbon atoms), and stearate (18 carbon atoms) are suitable. Further, pentadecylic acid (carbon number 15), margaric acid (carbon number 17), and the like are also suitable. On the other hand, the action of the fatty acid and the softening agent will be described. The softening agent has an ester group in the chemical structure, and the fatty acid has a carbonyl group in the chemical structure. From this point, the ester group of the softener and the carbonyl group of the fatty acid show an electrical action in the fixing solution system, and this causes a binding action between molecules, and the fixing solution is characterized by foaming properties and Improves foam stability.

  Even in the range of 12 to 18 carbon atoms, the smaller the number of carbons, the better the foaming property, but the foam stability is poor, and the larger the number of carbons, the less foaming properties, but the foam stability is extremely excellent. ing. Therefore, a single fatty acid salt may be used in the fixing solution, but it is more excellent to mix a fatty acid salt having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. As a mixing ratio, it is desirable to contain the most myristic acid salt (14 carbon atoms) and to lower the ratio of lauric acid salt (12 carbon atoms) and stearic acid salt. More specific fatty acid salt ratios are 0: 6: 3: 1, 1: 5: 3: 1, 1: 4 by weight ratio of laurate: myristate: palmitate: stearate. : 4: 1 is suitable.

  By the way, by containing the fatty acid having the same carbon number as the fatty acid salt as the foaming agent in the fixing solution, the foaming property and foam stability can be maintained even when the concentration of the softening agent is increased. When the concentration of the softening agent is less than 10 wt%, there is no problem with foaming properties even if no fatty acid is contained. However, when the concentration of the softening agent is 10 wt% or more, and particularly when the concentration of the softening agent is 30 wt% or more, the foaming property is hardly achieved with the fatty acid salt alone, and the foamability is deteriorated. In such a softening agent concentration of 30 wt%, when the fatty acid having the same carbon number as the fatty acid salt is contained, the foaming property can be maintained.

  However, if the fatty acid content is too high, the ratio of the fatty acid salt, which is a foaming agent, decreases, and the foamability deteriorates again. Therefore, it is better to make the number of moles of fatty acid salt the same as or larger than the number of moles of fatty acid. Or when the ratio of a fatty acid and a fatty acid salt is in the range of 5: 5 to 1: 9, the foamability is excellent.

  In addition to the combination of fatty acid and fatty acid salt having the same carbon number, for example, the fatty acid salt is amine myristate, the fatty acid is stearic acid, the fatty acid salt is potassium palmitate, and the fatty acid is stearic acid. Different combinations in the range of 12 to 18 may be used. In short, by containing a fatty acid having a carbon number of 12 to 18 in the fixing solution, even if a high-concentration softening agent is contained, the foamability is not deteriorated, the foam stability is excellent, and the density is extremely low. Allows foaming.

  In addition, even if the fixing solution contains a fatty acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms using other anionic surfactants such as alkyl ether sulfate (AES) as a foaming agent, the foaming property due to an increase in the concentration of the softener It turns out that it is effective in preventing it from getting worse. However, the best combination is a combination with a fatty acid salt.

  Furthermore, fatty acid sodium, fatty acid potassium, and fatty acid amine are suitable as the fatty acid salt. Furthermore, the most suitable fatty acid amine is specifically prepared by heating water, adding a fatty acid, and then adding triethanolamine, followed by heating and stirring for a certain period of time for a saponification reaction. be able to. At this time, by increasing the molar ratio of fatty acid to triethanolamine in the range of 1: 0.5 to 1: 0.9 and the fatty acid ratio, unreacted fatty acid remains after saponification, and the fixing solution Fatty acid and fatty acid amine can be mixed therein. The same is possible with sodium and potassium salts.

  Next, according to the thickness of the resin-containing fine particle layer over the entire medium surface for foaming the fixing solution of the present invention described above, the thickness of the foam-like fixing solution layer on the surface of the fixing solution applying means is controlled as described later. ing. However, for example, when resin-containing fine particles are toner and color images and black and white characters are mixed on the medium, if the entire surface of the medium is applied with a foam-like fixing liquid layer having the same thickness, fixing failure is not achieved with a thick toner layer like a color photographic image. In some cases, the image may be missing, or the black and white character portion may have a sticky feeling and the printed materials may stick to each other. Hereinafter, the cause of the problem will be described in detail.

  On the other hand, in general, in the case of a large bubble of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, the bubble can be generated relatively easily by simple stirring or the like, and the generation of the large bubble takes a time of several seconds or less (not taking 0.1 seconds). Can be generated. Therefore, paying attention to the fact that bubbles that are larger than the desired bubble diameter and that can be easily observed and can be quickly obtained can be obtained quickly, and from about 5 μm to 50 μm quickly from the large bubbles. As a result of diligently studying the method of generating microbubbles, dividing the large foam by applying shear force to the large foam is extremely quick compared to the method of generating microbubbles from the liquid state as described above. Microbubbles of a desired size can be generated.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of the fixing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the fixing device 30 of the present embodiment shown in the figure, the softener liquid that generates the fixing liquid is in the softener liquid sealing container 31, the foaming agent liquid is in the foaming liquid sealing container 32, and the softener decomposition accelerator. The liquid is separated and stored in the softener decomposition accelerator liquid sealed container 33 in an independent state. During the operation of the fixing device, the softener liquid from the softener liquid sealing container 31 and the foaming liquid sealing container 32 are supplied by the liquid transport pumps 34, 35, and 36 based on a drive control signal from the main control unit 45 described later. And the softener decomposition accelerator liquid from the softener decomposition accelerator liquid sealed container 33 are supplied so as to have a desired mixing ratio, and the liquid mixture having a desired mixing ratio is a blade-shaped stirrer. The mixture is sent to a bubbling tank 37 that is configured to generate large bubbles while entraining bubbles in the liquid while stirring. And in the bubbling tank 37 based on the drive control signal from the main control part 35 mentioned later, the air pump 38 is actuated at the timing which a liquid mixture arrives, bubbling the liquid mixture, and also passing the microporous sheet 39. A foam-like fixing solution having a large bubble diameter and a uniform bubble diameter is produced. The hole diameter of the microporous sheet 39 is preferably about 30 μm to 100 μm. The porous member is not limited to the microporous sheet 37 in FIG. 3, and may be a porous member having an open cell structure, and may be a sintered ceramic plate, a nonwoven fabric, or a foamed resin sheet having a pore diameter of about 30 μm to 100 μm. The bubbles at this time are large enough to be seen visually. The generated large bubbles are sent to the foam-like fixer generating means 40 to apply a shearing force to the bubbles to form fine bubbles, thereby forming a foam-like fixer. The foam-like fixing liquid generating means 40 has a double cylindrical member, and a shearing force generated on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member and the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member as the inner cylindrical member rotates axially. By this, a small bubble having a desired bubble diameter is generated from the large bubble. It should be noted that a spiral groove may be provided in the inner cylinder of the foam-like fixing liquid generating means 40 to increase the liquid conveying ability in the cylinder.

  In this way, liquid fixing is achieved by combining a large bubble generating unit that changes the liquid fixing liquid into a liquid having a large bubble diameter and a fine bubble generating unit that generates a small bubble by applying shear force to the large bubble. It is possible to produce a foam-like fixing solution having a fine bubble diameter of about 5 μm to 50 μm in a very short time.

As the bulk density of the foamy fixing ^{solution, 0.01g / cm 3 ~0.1g / cm} 3 in the range of about desirable. Furthermore, in order to prevent the occurrence of residual liquid feeling on the medium surface when the fixing solution applied is, as the density of the ^{foam, 0.01g / cm 3 ~0.02g / cm} 3 in the range of about, in particular 0.02 g / cm ³ or less is desirable. This is because, as in the application roller 42 of FIG. 3, the foam film of the fixing solution on the surface of the contact applying means is required to be equal to or larger than the thickness of the fine particle layer on the medium (the gap between the fine particle layers is reduced to the foam fixing solution). In general, the thickness of the foam film is desirably 50 μm to 80 μm. On the other hand, in order not to have a residual liquid feeling (wet feeling) due to the fixing liquid adhering to the medium surface, the fixing liquid adhesion amount is preferably 0.1 mg / cm ² or less. Therefore, as the density of the foam, the density of at least 0.02 g / cm ³ or less of foam required range of 0.0125 g / cm ³ of 0.02 g / cm ³ are desired.

  The foam-like fixing liquid generated in this way is supplied from the supply port 41 to the close contact portion between the foam film control blade 43 and the application roller 42 in close contact with the application roller 42, and a desired foam film is formed on the application roller 42. Form. By passing the paper of the recording medium on which the unfixed toner image is formed between the coating roller 42 and the pressure roller 44 opposite thereto, a foam film of a foam-like fixer is imparted to the unfixed toner. The softening agent softens the toner resin and fixes the toner image on the paper without heating. The main control unit 45 receives the fixing device activation signal and controls the driving of the liquid transport pumps 34, 35, and 36 and the driving of the air pump 38, so that the recording medium on which the unfixed toner image is formed is controlled. Mixing and foaming can be performed at the timing when the paper is conveyed to form a foam-like fixing solution.

  Here, the softening agent softened by dissolving or swelling the resin contains an aliphatic ester. This aliphatic ester is excellent in solubility or swelling property that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner or the like. The softening agent has an acute oral toxicity LD50 of more than 3 g / kg, more preferably 5 g / kg, from the viewpoint of safety to the human body. As aliphatic esters are frequently used as cosmetic raw materials, they are highly safe for the human body.

  Furthermore, the fixer is only required to be foamed when applied to a resin-containing fine particle layer such as toner on a recording medium such as paper, and need not be foamed in the storage container. In the storage container, it is a liquid that does not contain bubbles, and it is desirable to provide a means for forming a bubble in the liquid conveyance path until the liquid is supplied from the container or until the resin-containing fine particle layer is applied. This is because the storage container is liquid, and the foamed configuration after the liquid is taken out from the container has a great advantage that the container can be downsized.

  Next, as a means for transporting the liquid fixer from the fixer container to the foaming mechanism, a liquid transport pump is used in FIG. As the liquid transfer pump, there are a gear pump, a bellows pump, and the like, and a tube pump is preferable. If there is a vibration mechanism or a rotation mechanism in the fixing liquid, such as a gear pump, the liquid foams in the pump, and the liquid may be compressible, resulting in a decrease in conveying ability. In addition, the above-mentioned mechanical parts or the like may contaminate the fixer or conversely deteriorate the mechanical parts. On the other hand, since the tube pump is a mechanism that pushes out the liquid in the tube while deforming the tube, the only member in contact with the fixing liquid is the tube. By using a member that has liquid resistance to the fixing liquid, No contamination or deterioration of pump system parts. In addition, since the tube is only deformed, the liquid does not foam, and the conveyance capacity can be prevented from being lowered.

  Further, in addition to the foam film control blade of FIG. 3, the thickness of the foam-like fixing solution on the coating roller is controlled by a wire bar, and the foam-like fixing solution has a large foam generating unit that produces large bubbles as described above. And a foam-like fixer generating means having a micro-bubble generating part that separates the large bubbles with a shearing force, and drops from the liquid supply port between the film control wire bar and the coating roller. By using the wire bar as the film control means, the uniformity of the foam-like fixing liquid film in the axial direction of the coating roller surface is improved as compared with the blade.

  In the fixing device of the present embodiment having the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the foaming liquid, the softening agent liquid, the softening agent decomposition accelerator, Are mixed, and chemical decomposition of the softener occurs when left for a long time. Therefore, it is desirable to discard the fixer in the flow path from the sealed container to the foam-like fixer supply port at the end of fixing or at the start of fixing. Furthermore, since the fixing solution is wasted due to disposal, it is desirable that the volume in the flow path from the sealed container to the foam-like fixing solution supply port is as small as possible.

  In addition, if the foaming agent liquid, the softening agent liquid, and the softening agent decomposition accelerator are not mixed sufficiently uniformly, the foaming property deteriorates at the time of foaming after mixing, and the density of the foam-like fixing liquid is lower than the desired value. And the foam film may not be formed. In addition, the softening agent may be unevenly distributed at the foam plateau boundary, and fixing may be uneven.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, it is conceivable to provide a liquid mixing section only for the flow path. Since there is no drive unit, extremely simple mixing is possible. The liquid mixing unit 50 includes a mixed liquid flow path 54 in which a softener liquid flow path 51, a foaming liquid flow path 52, and a softener decomposition accelerator liquid flow path 53 are joined and mixed. It should be noted that the fluid resistance of the mixed liquid flow path 54 is set to the fluid resistance of the flow path 51 of the softener liquid, the fluid resistance of the flow path 52 of the foaming agent liquid, and the fluid resistance of the flow path 53 of the softener decomposition accelerator liquid. Make it smaller. With such a configuration, the flow rate of the mixed liquid channel 54 is increased and a turbulent flow is formed, so that the softener liquid, the foaming liquid, and the softener decomposition accelerator liquid are sufficiently mixed. Further, the configuration of FIG. 4A is developed, and as shown in FIG. 4B, the fluid resistance of the softener liquid flow path 51, the fluid resistance of the foaming liquid flow path 52, and the softener decomposition. If the ratio of the fluid resistance of the flow path 53 of the accelerator liquid is set to be close to the mixed liquid deposition ratio, the volume ratio can always be kept stable only by making the supply pressures of the liquids the same. Easy to control.

Next, a fixing solution storage container suitable for the fixing device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of a fixing solution storage container suitable for the fixing device of the present invention. In the fixing solution storage container 60 shown in the figure, a container 61 sealed with a softener solution, a container 62 sealed with a foaming agent solution, and a container 63 sealed with a softener decomposition accelerator solution are provided in an independent state. ing. As each container, a resin laminating container laminated with aluminum foil is suitable. The supply ports 64 to 66 are provided at the tips of the containers 61 to 63, and the supply ports 64 to 66 are provided with sealing rubbers 67 to 69 as communication means, respectively, to seal each liquid. Yes. When the fixing solution storage container 60 having such a configuration is detachably attached to the fixing device, the supply pipes 70 to 72 having a needle shape from the fixing device side are connected to the supply ports 64 to 66 of the fixing solution storage container 60. And the needle-like tips of the supply pipes 70 to 72 pass through the sealing rubbers 67 to 69 and connect to the liquid containers. In this configuration, the liquid in each liquid container is mixed in the fixing device, and a liquid supply pump is also installed in the fixing device. According to such a fixer storage container, the softener liquid, the foaming agent liquid, and the softener decomposition accelerator liquid can be separated and stored in an independent state, and there is no liquid leakage. is there.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of another fixing solution storage container suitable for the fixing device of the present invention. The fixer storage container 80 shown in the figure is parallel to a softener liquid storage container 81, a foaming agent liquid storage container 82, and a softener decomposition accelerator liquid storage container 83, which are bellows-structured containers formed of a resin laminate. Pressurized plates 84 to extrude the liquid stored by pressurizing from the bottom side of the softener liquid storage container 81 and the foaming agent liquid storage container 82 and the softener decomposition accelerator liquid storage container 83 having a bellows structure. 86, a supply port 87 to 89 of each container, a mixed liquid channel 90 for mixing three liquids supplied from the respective supply ports 87 to 89, and a sealing liquid 91 as a communication means And a mouth 92. In addition, holes 96 to 98 are provided in the outer wall of the fixer storage container 80 in order to insert pressure actuators 93 to 95 for applying pressure to the pressure plates 84 to 86. Each of the supply ports 87 to 89 is connected to a mixed liquid flow path 90, and at least one rotatable stirring blade 99 is provided in the mixed liquid flow path 90.

  When the fixing solution storage container 80 having such a configuration is attached to the fixing device, the pressure actuators 93 to 95 in the fixing device enter the container through the holes 96 to 98 on the outer wall of the container and press the pressure plates 84 to 86. It is a mechanism. On the other hand, the mixed solution supply port 92 is sealed with a sealing rubber 91, and when the fixing storage container 80 is attached to the fixing device, the supply pipe 100 having a needle from the fixing device side covers the sealing rubber and the mixed solution flow path. Intrude into 90. When the fixing device is in operation, the pressure actuators 93 to 95 are operated to press the pressure plates 84 to 86, and the softener liquid storage container 81 and the foaming liquid storage container 82, which are bellows structured containers formed of resin laminate, and By deforming the softener decomposition accelerator liquid storage container 83, each liquid is supplied from the supply ports 87 to 89 to the mixed liquid channel 90. After the supply, the liquid is sufficiently mixed by the stirring blade 99, and the fixing liquid in which the softening agent liquid, the foaming agent liquid, and the softening agent decomposition accelerator liquid are uniformly mixed from the mixed liquid supply port 92 of the fixing liquid storage container 80 is obtained. Supplied. The stirring blade may have a driving source for rotation, but sufficient stirring ability can be obtained even in a configuration that rotates naturally with the flow of liquid. In the configuration of FIG. 6, since the softener liquid, the foaming agent liquid, and the softening agent decomposition accelerator liquid are already uniformly mixed in the fixing storage container, only the foaming bubbling mechanism needs to be installed on the fixing device side. The fixing device can be simplified.

  In the fixing solution, an unsaturated fatty acid salt may be used, and an unsaturated fatty acid having 18 carbon atoms and 1 to 3 double bonds is desirable. Specifically, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid are suitable. Since the reactivity is strong when the double bond is 4 or more, the stability of the fixing solution is poor. These unsaturated fatty acid salts with unsaturated saturated fatty acids are used alone or in combination as a foaming agent. Moreover, you may mix and use the said saturated fatty acid salt and unsaturated fatty acid salt as a foaming agent.

  Moreover, the softening agent softened by dissolving or swelling the resin contains an aliphatic ester. This aliphatic ester is excellent in solubility or swelling property that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner or the like.

  Further, the softening agent has an acute oral toxicity LD50 of more than 3 g / kg, more preferably 5 g / kg, from the viewpoint of safety to the human body. As aliphatic esters are frequently used as cosmetic raw materials, they are highly safe for the human body.

  In addition, the toner is fixed to the recording medium in a device that is frequently used in a sealed environment, and the softener remains in the toner even after the toner is fixed to the recording medium. Preferably does not involve the generation of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and unpleasant odors. That is, the softener preferably does not contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) and substances that cause unpleasant odors. Aliphatic esters have a high boiling point and low volatility and have no irritating odor as compared to generally used organic solvents (toluene, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, etc.).

  In addition, as a practical odor measurement scale that can measure odors in office environments with high accuracy, the odor index (10 × log) by the three-point comparison odor bag method that is sensory measurement The dilution factor of the substance until it disappears)) can be used as an indicator of odor. The odor index of the aliphatic ester contained in the softener is preferably 10 or less. In this case, an unpleasant odor is not felt in a normal office environment. Furthermore, it is preferable that not only the softening agent but also other liquid agents contained in the fixing solution have no unpleasant odor and irritating odor.

  In the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the aliphatic ester includes a saturated aliphatic ester. Further, saturated aliphatic esters are highly safe for the human body, and many saturated aliphatic esters can dissolve or swell the resin contained in the toner within 1 second. Furthermore, saturated aliphatic esters can reduce the tackiness of the toner provided on the recording medium. This is considered to be because the saturated aliphatic ester forms an oil film on the surface of the dissolved or swollen toner.

  Therefore, in the fixing solution in the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the saturated aliphatic ester includes a compound represented by R1COOR2, wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, and R2 is , A linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability is lowered.

  That is, the saturated aliphatic ester includes a compound represented by the general formula R1COOR2, R1 is an alkyl group having 11 to 14 carbon atoms, and R2 is a straight chain having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. In the case of a type or branched type alkyl group, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved. Moreover, the odor index of said compound is 10 or less, and said compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid ester that is the above compound include ethyl laurate, hexyl laurate, ethyl tridecylate, isopropyl tridecylate, ethyl myristate, isopropyl myristate, and the like. Many of these aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters, which are the above compounds, are soluble in oily solvents, but not in water. Therefore, for many of the aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters which are the above-mentioned compounds, in an aqueous solvent, glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a dissolution aid and are in the form of dissolution or microemulsion.

  In order to suppress the hydrolysis when using the above saturated aliphatic ester, the decomposition of the softening agent can be suppressed by containing at least one of R1COOH and R2OH, which are hydrolysates of R1COOR2, in the fixing solution. . Examples of the hydrolyzate include lauric acid, dodecylic acid, myristic acid, myristic acid, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, and the like. The content is not particularly limited, but for the carboxylic acid compound, the content is such that the pH of the fixing solution does not become 7 or less, and for the alcohol compound, the content range of 1 wt% to 30 wt% is appropriate. Exceeding these contents is not suitable because the foaming property of the fixing solution deteriorates.

  In the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the aliphatic ester includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester. When the aliphatic ester includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved or swollen in a shorter time. For example, in high-speed printing of about 60 ppm, it is desirable that the time until the fixing liquid is applied to the unfixed toner on the recording medium and the toner is fixed on the recording medium is within 1 second. When the aliphatic ester includes an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester, the time required for fixing the toner on the recording medium by applying a fixing solution to the unfixed toner or the like on the recording medium is 0.1 second. It is possible to be within. Furthermore, since the resin contained in the toner can be dissolved or swollen by adding a smaller amount of the softening agent, the content of the softening agent contained in the fixing solution can be reduced.

Therefore, in the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes a compound represented by R3 (COOR4) ₂ , and R3 is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. And R4 is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 5 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability is lowered.

That is, the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester includes a compound represented by the general formula R3 (COOR4) ₂ , R3 is an alkylene group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and R4 has 3 or more carbon atoms. In the case of a linear or branched alkyl group of 5 or less, the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner can be improved. Moreover, the odor index of said compound is 10 or less, and said compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid ester that is the above compound include diethylhexyl succinate, dibutyl adipate, diisobutyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, diethyl sebacate, and dibutyl sebacate. Many of these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid esters, which are the above compounds, are soluble in oily solvents, but not in water. Therefore, in an aqueous solvent, glycols are contained in the fixing solution as a dissolution aid and are in the form of a solution or microemulsion.

  Furthermore, in the fixing solution according to the present invention, the aliphatic ester preferably contains a dialkoxyalkyl aliphatic dicarboxylate. When the above aliphatic ester contains an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl, the fixing property of the toner to the recording medium can be improved.

In the fixing solution of the present invention, preferably, the general formula of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyl includes a compound represented by R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ , and R5 has 2 to 8 carbon atoms. R6 is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and R7 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. If the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is less than the desired range, odor is generated, and if it is greater than the desired range, the resin softening ability is lowered.

That is, the above-mentioned aliphatic dicarboxylate dialkoxyalkyl includes a compound represented by the general formula R5 (COOR6-O-R7) ₂ , wherein R5 is an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and R6 is In the case where it is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R7 is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, it is possible to improve the solubility or swelling property with respect to the resin contained in the toner. . Moreover, the odor index of said compound is 10 or less, and said compound does not have an unpleasant odor and an irritating odor.

  Examples of the aliphatic dicarboxylate dialkoxyalkyl which is the above compound include diethoxyethyl succinate, dibutoxyethyl succinate, diethoxyethyl adipate, dibutoxyethyl adipate, diethoxyethyl sebacate and the like. . In an aqueous solvent, these aliphatic dicarboxylic acid dialkoxyalkyls are contained in the fixing solution as a solubilizing agent, and dissolved or microemulsified.

  Further, although not fatty acid esters, carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and butylene carbonate are also suitable as a softening or swelling agent.

  In the fixing solution of the present invention, the hydrolase is a carboxylate ester hydrolase that is an ester hydrolase, such as a lipase derivative, an esterase derivative, a phylase derivative, an acetylase derivative, a hydrolase derivative, a butenolidase derivative, a polymerase derivative, Examples include cutinase derivatives and synthase derivatives. The liquid containing the hydrolyzing enzyme of the softening agent is stored separately in an aqueous liquid containing a foaming agent and an aqueous liquid containing a softening agent, and the fixing device is stored in a container or a fixing device. During operation, these aqueous liquids are mixed and immediately foamed to form a foam-like fixing liquid, which is applied to a resin fine particle layer such as unfixed toner attached to the medium, until an image is formed on the medium. The ability of the softening agent is maintained, and after fixing, the excess softening agent is decomposed to obtain a fixed image without sticky feeling (tackiness), and fixing reliability can be greatly improved.

  Although it does not specifically limit about content of said hydrolase, It is 0.01 wt%-5.0 wt%, Preferably it is 0.1 wt%-1.0 wt%. If the content is too small, the decomposition amount of the softening agent to be decomposed decreases, and if the content is too large, the foaming property of the fixing solution deteriorates, which is not suitable. Moreover, since the activity range of said hydrolase is pH 6-11, Preferably it is pH 7-10, When it is outside the range, it is necessary to adjust pH. In addition, when it remove | deviates from said pH range, enzyme activity will fall and it will become difficult to decompose | disassemble a softener.

  By the way, in the foam-like fixing solution, if the foam breaks when the foam-like fixing solution is permeated while being pushed into the fine particle layer such as toner at the coating contact nip portion, the penetration is inhibited. Therefore, a foam excellent in foam stability is required. For this reason, it is desirable to contain a fatty acid alkanolamide (1: 1) type in the fixing solution. Fatty acid alkanolamides include (1: 1) type and (1: 2) type, but it was found that (1: 1) type is suitable for foam stability in the present invention.

  The fine particles containing the resin to be fixed are not limited to toner, and any fine particles containing resin may be used. For example, resin-containing fine particles containing a conductive member may be used. Further, the recording medium is not limited to recording paper, and any of metal, resin, ceramics and the like may be used. However, it is desirable that the medium has permeability to the fixing solution. When the medium substrate does not have liquid permeability, a medium having a liquid-permeable layer on the substrate is desirable. The form of the recording medium is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a three-dimensional object having a flat surface and a curved surface. For example, the present invention can also be applied to applications in which transparent resin fine particles are uniformly fixed on a medium such as paper to protect the paper surface (so-called varnish coating).

  Among the fine particles containing the resin, the toner used in the electrophotographic process has the highest fixing effect in combination with the fixing solution of the present invention. The toner contains a colorant, a charge control agent, and a resin such as a binder resin and a release agent. The resin contained in the toner is not particularly limited. Examples of suitable binder resins include polystyrene resins, styrene-acrylic copolymer resins, polyester resins, and the like, and examples of the release agent include carbanau wax and polyethylene. And wax components. The toner may contain a known colorant, charge control agent, fluidity-imparting agent, external additive and the like in addition to the binder resin. Further, the toner is preferably subjected to a water repellency treatment by fixing hydrophobic fine particles such as hydrophobic silica having a methyl group and hydrophobic titanium oxide to the surface of the toner particles. Among the media, the recording medium is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include paper, cloth, and a plastic film such as an OHP sheet having a liquid permeable layer. The oiliness in the present invention means a property that the solubility in water at room temperature (20 ° C.) is 0.1% by weight or less.

  Further, it is preferable that the foamed fixing solution has sufficient affinity for the water-repellent treated toner particles. Here, affinity means the degree of extended wetting of the liquid with respect to the surface of the solid when the liquid comes into contact with the solid. That is, it is preferable that the foamed fixing solution exhibits sufficient wettability with respect to the water-repellent treated toner. The surface of the toner subjected to water repellency treatment with hydrophobic fine particles such as hydrophobic silica and hydrophobic titanium oxide is covered with methyl groups present on the surfaces of hydrophobic silica and hydrophobic titanium oxide, and is approximately 20 mN / m. Has a surface energy of a degree. In reality, since the entire surface of the water-repellent treated toner is not completely covered with hydrophobic fine particles, the surface energy of the water-repellent treated toner is estimated to be approximately 20 to 30 mN / m. The Therefore, in order to have affinity for the water-repellent toner (having sufficient wettability), the surface tension of the foamed fixing solution is preferably 20 to 30 mN / m.

  In the case of using an aqueous solvent, it is preferable that the surface tension is 20 to 30 mN / m by adding a surfactant. In the case of an aqueous solvent, it is desirable to contain a polyhydric alcohol. These materials have the advantage of increasing the stability of bubbles in the foam-like fixing solution and making it difficult to break the bubbles. For example, monohydric alcohols such as cetanol and polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, propylene glycol, and 1,3 butylene glycol are desirable. Further, containing these unit price or polyhydric alcohols has an effect of preventing curling of a medium such as paper.

  In addition, it is also desirable to form an O / W emulsion or a W / O emulsion containing an oil component in order to improve permeability and prevent curling of a medium such as paper, in which case, as a specific dispersant Are preferably sorbitan fatty acid esters such as sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monosterate and sorbitan sesquioleate, and sucrose esters such as sucrose laurate and sucrose stearate.

  In addition, as a method for dissolving the softening agent or fixing the microemulsion during fixing, for example, a mechanical stirring means such as a homomixer or a homogenizer using a rotary blade, and a means for applying vibration such as an ultrasonic homogenizer Is mentioned. In any case, a strong shear stress is added to the softener in the fixing solution to dissolve or disperse the microemulsion.

  In addition, the toner fixing device pressurizes the dissolved or swollen toner with a component (softener) that dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner after supplying the fixing liquid in the present invention to the toner. You may have a pair of smoothing roller (hard roller). By pressurizing the dissolved or swollen toner with a pair of smoothing rollers (hard rollers), the surface of the layer of the dissolved or swollen toner can be smoothed to give gloss to the toner. Furthermore, by fixing the dissolved or swollen toner into the recording medium, the fixability of the toner to the recording medium can be improved.

  Using the image forming method according to the present invention described above, a toner image containing a resin is formed on a recording medium. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of another embodiment of the present invention, as described above, an image forming method and an image forming apparatus capable of fixing toner onto a recording medium more efficiently, respectively. Can be provided.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to another invention. The image forming apparatus shown in the figure may be a copying machine or a printer. FIG. 7A is a schematic view of the entire color electrophotographic tandem type image forming apparatus, and FIG. 7B is a configuration of one image forming unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG. FIG. The image forming apparatus 200 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has an intermediate transfer belt 201 as a toner image carrier. The intermediate transfer belt 201 is stretched around three support rollers 202 to 204 and rotates in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. On the intermediate transfer belt 201, black, yellow, magenta and cyan image forming units 205 to 208 are arranged. Above these image forming units, an exposure device (not shown) is arranged. For example, when the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, each exposure L1 to L4 for reading image information of an original with a scanner and writing an electrostatic latent image on each photosensitive drum according to the image information is performed. Irradiated by an exposure apparatus. A secondary transfer device 209 is provided at a position facing the support roller 204 of the intermediate transfer belt 201 with the intermediate transfer belt 201 interposed therebetween. The secondary transfer device 209 includes a secondary transfer belt 212 that is stretched between two support rollers 210 and 211. As the secondary transfer device 209, a transfer roller other than the transfer belt may be used. A belt cleaning device 213 is disposed at a position facing the support roller 202 of the intermediate transfer belt 201 with the intermediate transfer belt 201 interposed therebetween. The belt cleaning device 213 is arranged to remove toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 201.

  A recording sheet 214 as a recording medium is guided to a secondary transfer unit by a pair of paper feed rollers 215, and the secondary transfer belt 212 is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 201 when the toner image is transferred to the recording sheet 214. Thus, the toner image is transferred. The recording paper 214 to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer belt 212, and the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording paper 214 is foamed based on image information from an exposure device (not shown). Fixing is performed by the fixing device of the present invention that controls the film thickness of the fixing solution. That is, for the unfixed toner image transferred to the recording paper 214, the film thickness of the foam-like fixing liquid layer is controlled based on image information from an exposure device (not shown) such as a color image or a black solid image. A part (softener) which is provided with the foam-like fixing solution supplied from the toner fixing device and dissolves or swells at least a part of the resin contained in the toner contained in the foam-like fixing solution. Thus, the unfixed toner image is fixed on the recording paper 214.

  Next, the image forming unit will be described. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the image forming units 205 to 208, a charging device 217, a developing device 218, a cleaning device 219, and a charge removal device 220 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 216. A primary transfer device 221 is provided at a position facing the photosensitive drum 216 via the intermediate transfer belt 201. The charging device 217 is a contact charging type charging device employing a charging roller. The charging device 217 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 216 by bringing a charging roller into contact with the photosensitive drum 216 and applying a voltage to the photosensitive drum 216. As the charging device 217, a non-contact charging type charging device using a non-contact scorotron or the like may be used. Further, the developing device 218 causes the toner in the developer to adhere to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 216 to visualize the electrostatic latent image. Here, the toners corresponding to the respective colors are made of resin materials colored in the respective colors, and these resin materials are dissolved or swollen by the fixing solution in the present invention. The developing device 218 has a stirring unit and a developing unit (not shown), and the developer that has not been used for development is returned to the stirring unit and reused. The toner concentration in the agitation unit is detected by a toner concentration sensor, and is controlled so that the toner concentration is constant. Further, the primary transfer device 221 transfers the toner visualized on the photosensitive drum 216 to the intermediate transfer belt 201. Here, a transfer roller is employed as the primary transfer device 221, and the transfer roller is pressed against the photosensitive drum 216 with the intermediate transfer belt 201 interposed therebetween. As the primary transfer device 221, a conductive brush, a non-contact corona charger, or the like can be used. The cleaning device 219 removes unnecessary toner on the photosensitive drum 216. As the cleaning device 219, a blade having a tip pressed against the photosensitive drum 216 can be used. Here, the toner recovered by the cleaning device 219 is recovered by the developing device 218 and reused by a recovery screw and a toner recycling device (not shown). Further, the static elimination device 220 is constituted by a lamp, and irradiates light to initialize the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 216.

Next, a method for adjusting the fixing solution used in the present invention will be described.
The fatty acid myristic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 4.00 g, palmitic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 3.00 g, stearic acid is 1.00 g (Kanto Chemical Reagent), and the neutralizing agent triethanolamine is 3 Weigh each so as to be .41 g, and stir them in ion exchange water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 30 minutes with a stirrer (100 rpm). And, 6.8 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) as this foaming agent, 0.8 g of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) as foaming agent, 92.4 g of ion-exchanged water as a diluent, 60.0 g of the mixed foaming agent solution, and 40.0 wt% of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) as a softener solution are stirred for 10 minutes with an ultrasonic homogenizer. This was used as a fixing solution (stock solution before forming).

◇ Large bubble generation part Prepared based on FIG. Liquid fixer storage container: one bottle made of PET resin (only one used in the embodiment), liquid transport pump: tube pump (tube inner diameter 2 mm, tube material: silicone rubber), transport flow path: inner diameter 2 mm Silicone rubber tube, microporous sheet for creating large bubbles: # 400 stainless steel mesh sheet (opening: about 40 μm). In addition, in order to confirm the time-dependent change of the mixed state, an experiment was also conducted in which the premixed fixing solution was introduced into the apparatus after a predetermined time.

◇ Fine bubble generation part It produced based on FIG. The inner cylinder of the double cylinder is fixed to a rotation shaft and is rotated by a rotation drive motor (not shown). The material of the double cylinder was PET resin. Outer cylinder inner diameter: 10 mm, length 120 mm, inner cylinder outer shape: 8 mm · length 100 mm. The rotation speed was 300 rpm. The rotation time was 10 seconds.

◇ Fixing solution applying means Prepared based on FIG. A foam-like fixing solution was prepared and supplied to the foam film control blade. The gap between the foam film control blade and the application roller was 40 μm. Pressure roller: Sponge roller with an aluminum alloy roller (φ10 mm) as the core and polyurethane foam material with the outer diameter φ50 mm (product name “Color Foam EMO”), coating roller: SUS coated with baked PFA resin Roller (φ30mm), film thickness control blade: 1mm thick parallel glass is bonded to an aluminum alloy support plate, the glass surface faces the coating roller, and the gap between the coating roller and the glass surface is controlled in the range of 10μm to 100μm. The configuration is such that the paper conveyance speed is 150 mm / s.

  Further, in order to evaluate the fixability, the fine foamy fixing solution prepared above was applied to “on the paper on which the unfixed toner was formed” by the method described above. With respect to the paper on which the unfixed toner is formed, a color image of the unfixed toner is formed on PPC paper (Ricoh T-6200) using an electrophotographic printer (IpsioColor CX8800 manufactured by Ricoh). At this time, the thickness of the toner layer was 30 to 40 μm, and the thickness of the foamy fixing solution on the coating roller was about 70 μm. Then, blocking evaluation of the fixed image portion was performed. Rocking evaluation is a method for simply evaluating tack. The measurement method is shown below. A fixing solution containing a hydrolase was used.

<Evaluation of blocking>
○: 1000 sheets (4 kg) of paper are placed on the fixed image for 24 hours, the paper with the fixed image does not stick to the upper paper, and the toner is not peeled off.
X: A state where 1000 sheets (4 kg) of paper is placed on the fixed image for 24 hours, the paper with the fixed image sticks to the upper paper, and the toner is also peeled off.

Next, another method for adjusting the fixing solution used in the present invention will be described.
The fatty acid myristic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 4.00 g, palmitic acid (Kanto Chemical Reagent) is 3.00 g, stearic acid is 1.00 g (Kanto Chemical Reagent), and the neutralizing agent triethanolamine is 3 Weigh each so as to be .41 g, stir them in ion-exchanged water at a liquid temperature of 80 ° C. for 30 minutes with a stirrer (100 rpm), and then naturally cool to room temperature. The remaining materials such as a diluent (water) and a foam-increasing agent were added thereto and stirred with an ultrasonic homogenizer for 10 minutes to obtain a foaming agent solution. The detailed component amount will be described later in detail.

  In order to measure the decomposition state of the softening agent of the fixing solution, the fixing solution was taken out from the liquid mixing portion of FIG. 3 and subjected to gas chromatography measurement. At that time, gas chromatographic measurement was also performed on the fixing solution taken out immediately after mixing, the fixing solution taken out after 15 minutes, and the fixing solution taken out after 30 minutes. Regarding gas chromatography measurement conditions, the apparatus was HEWLETT PACKARD 5890 SERIESII, the column used was HEWLETT PACKARD HP-1 (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm), the column temperature was 50 ° C. to 250 ° C., the injection temperature was 200 ° C., The detector temperature was 200 ° C. and the sample volume was 1 μL. In addition, the gas chromatography measurement detects only what is gasified in the apparatus.

<Example 1>
<< Sample 1-1 >>
(Sample 1-1-1 ⇒ immediately after mixing, sample 1-1-2 ⇒ room temperature, 15-minute storage product, sample 1-1-3 ⇒ room temperature, 30-minute storage product)
The foaming agent solution is “6.7 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.8 g of coconut fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion exchange. 92.5 g of water, 59.8 g of each premixed solution ”, 40.0 g of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC)”, and a solution containing hydrolase “trialisyl briselol (lipase)” ) (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 0.2% 50% aqueous solution ", and each was put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<< Sample 1-2 >>
(Sample 1-2-1 ⇒ product immediately after mixing, sample 1-2-2 ⇒ room temperature, 15 minute storage product, sample 1-2-3 ⇒ room temperature, 30 minute storage product)
The foaming agent solution is “4.5 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.6 g of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion exchange. 94.9 g of water, 89.8 g of each premixed solution, “10 g of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda, Claude DES)” for the softener, and “trialisyl bricerol (for hydrolyzing enzyme)” Lipase) (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 50% aqueous solution 0.2 g ", and each was put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<< Sample 2-1 >>
(Sample 2-1-1 ⇒ product immediately after mixing, sample 2-1-2 ⇒ room temperature, product stored for 15 minutes)
The foaming agent solution is “6.7 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.8 g of coconut fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion exchange. 92.5 g of water, 59.8 g of a premixed solution, 40.0 g of propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC), and a solution containing hydrolase is “carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) Industrial reagent) 50% aqueous solution 0.2 g ", and put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<< Sample 2-2 >>
(Sample 2-2-1 ⇒ product immediately after mixing, sample 2-2-2 ⇒ room temperature, product stored for 15 minutes)
The foaming agent solution is “4.5 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.6 g of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion exchange. 94.9 g of water, 89.8 g of each premixed solution, “10 g of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda, Claude DES)” for the softener, and “carboxyesterase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries) for the hydrolase-containing solution “Pharmaceutical industrial reagent) 50% aqueous solution 0.2 g” and put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<< Sample 3-1 >>
(Sample 3-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 3-1-2⇒room temperature, product stored for 15 minutes)
The foaming agent solution is “6.7 g of triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.8 g of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion-exchanged water. 92.5 g of a premixed solution ”, a softener solution of“ propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) 40.0 g ”, a hydrolyzing enzyme-containing solution of“ acetyl hydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) ) 50% aqueous solution 0.2 g "and put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<< Sample 3-2 >>
(Sample 3-2-1⇒Product immediately after mixing, Sample 3-2-2⇒Room temperature, product stored for 15 minutes)
The foaming agent solution is “4.5 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.6 g of palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM), which is a foaming agent, and ion exchange. 89.8 g of a premixed solution of 94.9 g of water ", 10 g of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda, Claude DES) are used as a softening agent, and" acetyl hydrolase (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) is a liquid containing hydrolase. Industrial reagent) 50% aqueous solution 0.2 g ", and put in the liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG.

<Comparative Example 1>
Measurement of softener degradation (conventional fixer without hydrolase)
<< Sample 4-1 >>
(Sample 4-1-1⇒immediately after mixing, sample 4-1-2⇒room temperature, 15-minute storage product, sample 4-1-3⇒room temperature, 30-minute storage product)
The foaming agent solution is “6.8 g of fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt), 0.8 g of coconut fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) which is a foaming agent, ion exchange 92.4 g of water, 60.0 g of each premixed solution ”, and 40.0 g of the softener solution,“ propylene carbonate (Kanto Chemical Reagent, PC) ”, each of which is a liquid storage container (made of aluminum vapor-deposited polyethylene resin) in FIG. Put it in.

<< Sample 4-2 >>
(Sample 4-2-1⇒immediately mixed product, sample 4-2-2⇒room temperature, 15-minute storage product, sample 4-2-3⇒room temperature, 30-minute storage product)
The foaming agent solution is “fatty acid triethanolamine salt (fatty acid TEA salt) 4.5 g, foaming agent palm fatty acid diethanolamide (1: 1) type (Matsumoto Yushi, Marpon MM) 0.6 g, diluent 94.9 g of ion-exchanged water, respectively, and 90.0 g of a premixed solution, and 10 g of diethoxyethyl succinate (Croda, Claude DES) as a softening agent. (Made of polyethylene resin).

  The gas chromatographic measurement results of Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are shown in Table 1 below.

  Referring to Table 1, when Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are compared, it is apparent that the fixer containing hydrolyzing enzyme is decomposed by the softening agent. It was also found that it stopped almost in 30 minutes. This is presumably because the presence of hydrolase in the fixing solution promotes the hydrolysis of the softening agent, and the decomposition reaction is stopped to some extent.

Next, another example and a comparative example will be described.
◇ Large bubble generation part Prepared based on FIG. Liquid fixer storage container: Three bottles made of PET resin ("softener", "diluent", "hydrolyzing enzyme"), liquid transport pump: tube pump (tube inner diameter 2 mm, tube material: silicone rubber) Conveying flow path: Silicone rubber tube having an inner diameter of 2 mm, microporous sheet for producing large bubbles: # 400 stainless steel mesh sheet (opening: about 40 μm). In addition, in order to confirm the time-dependent change of the mixed state, an experiment was also conducted in which the premixed fixing solution was introduced into the apparatus after a predetermined time.

◇ Fine bubble generation part It produced based on FIG. The inner cylinder of the double cylinder is fixed to a rotation shaft and is rotated by a rotation drive motor (not shown). The material of the double cylinder was PET resin. Outer cylinder inner diameter: 10 mm, length 120 mm, inner cylinder outer shape: 8 mm · length 100 mm. The rotation speed was 300 rpm. The rotation time was 10 seconds.

◇ Fixing solution applying means Prepared based on FIG. A foam-like fixing solution was prepared and supplied to the blade. The gap between the blade and the application roller was 40 μm. Pressure roller: Sponge roller with an aluminum alloy roller (φ10 mm) as the core and polyurethane foam material with an outer diameter of φ50 mm (trade name “Color Foam EMO”), coating roller: SUS coated with BFA resin Roller (φ30mm), film thickness control blade: 1mm thick parallel glass is bonded to an aluminum alloy support plate, the glass surface faces the coating roller, and the gap between the coating roller and the glass surface is controlled in the range of 10μm to 100μm. The configuration is such that the paper conveyance speed is 150 mm / s.

<Example 2>
Fixer foam density (foaming) measurement and fixing evaluation (fixing solution containing hydrolase)
In order to evaluate the foaming property of the fixing solution, bubbles were produced from the same fixing solution as in Example 1 with a fine foam-like fixing solution generating means, and the state and density of the bubbles were measured. Further, in order to evaluate the fixability, the fine foamy fixing solution prepared above was applied onto the paper on which the unfixed toner was formed by the method described above. With respect to the paper on which the unfixed toner is formed, a color image of the unfixed toner is formed on PPC paper (Ricoh T-6200) using an electrophotographic printer (IpsioColor CX8800 manufactured by Ricoh). At this time, the thickness of the toner layer was 30 to 40 μm, and the thickness of the foamy fixing solution on the coating roller was about 70 μm. From this fixed image, the amount of fixing solution applied to the paper, the image quality after fixing, and blocking evaluation were performed. (Blocking evaluation is a method for simply evaluating tack.) The measurement method is described below. In Example 2, a fixing solution containing a hydrolase was used.

<Evaluation of foam state>
○: The case where the foam state does not change even after being left for 1 minute.
X: Defoamed after standing for 1 minute and foam stability is poor.

<Method for measuring bubble density>
The foam density was determined from the weight and the volume of the cup container after filling a 5 cc cup container with foam.

<Amount of fixer applied to paper>
The amount of the fixing solution applied to the paper was determined by measuring the weight of A4 size paper before application and the unfixed toner, and subtracting the weight after application.

<Image quality after fixing>
○: Good fixability of toner on paper (good image, no moisture on paper)
X: Fixing defect of toner on paper (toner is offset)

<Evaluation of blocking>
○: 1000 sheets (4 kg) of paper are placed on the fixed image for 24 hours, the paper with the fixed image does not stick to the upper paper, and the toner is not peeled off.
X: A state where 1000 sheets (4 kg) of paper is placed on the fixed image for 24 hours, the paper with the fixed image sticks to the upper paper, and the toner is also peeled off.

<Comparative example 2>
Fixer foam density (foaming) measurement and fixing evaluation (conventional fixer without hydrolase)
In the same manner as in Example 2, measurement of bubble density (foaming property) and fixing evaluation were performed. For Comparative Example 2, a conventional fixing solution containing no hydrolase was used.

  The density (foaming property) measurement and fixing evaluation of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 described above are shown in Table 2 below.

Like the application roller, the foam film of the fixing solution on the surface of the contact applying means is required to be equal to or larger than the thickness of the fine particle layer on the medium (in order to fill the gap between the fine particle layers with the foamy fixing solution). The foam film thickness is desirably 50 μm to 80 μm. On the other hand, in order not to have a residual liquid feeling (wet feeling) due to the fixing liquid adhering to the medium surface, the fixing liquid adhesion amount is preferably 0.1 mg / cm ² or less. Therefore, as the density of the foam, the density of at least 0.020 g / cm ³ or less of foam required range of 0.0125 g / cm ³ of 0.020 g / cm ³ are desired.

Referring to Table 2 above, the foam density (foamability) measurement results of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2 are referred to, regardless of the presence or absence of hydrolase, the foam state is good, and the density is also 0.020 g / It was below cm ³ and the influence of hydrolase was not observed.

  In addition, referring to Table 2 above, referring to the fixing evaluation results of Example 2 and Comparative Example 2, it was found that blocking was improved by containing a hydrolase. Further, it is desirable that the foaming agent solution, the softening agent solution, and the softening agent decomposition accelerator solution containing hydrolase are used for fixing immediately after being mixed in the liquid mixing unit. This is because after 15 minutes or more, the softening agent is decomposed and the fixing quality is adversely affected. In other words, it is understood that a fixed image with good tack-free image quality can be obtained by mixing and immediately using a foaming agent solution, a softening agent solution and a softening agent decomposition accelerator solution containing a hydrolase. It was.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various modifications and substitutions are possible as long as they are described in the scope of the claims.

Japanese Patent No. 3,290,513 JP 2004-109749 A JP 59-119364 A JP 2007-219105 A JP 2007-003780 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 02-053320

Ishii Ikuo, "Foam Engineering" first edition, Techno System Co., Ltd., published on March 25, 2005 489

Claims (6)

A film of a foam-like fixing solution formed by foaming a fixing solution containing at least a softening agent, a foaming agent, and water that softens resin-containing fine particles containing the resin by dissolving or swelling at least a part of the resin In a fixing device for controlling the thickness and applying and fixing the resin-containing fine particles,
First holding means for containing a softener liquid containing at least the softener;
Second holding means for containing a foaming agent liquid containing at least the foaming agent;
A third holding means for containing a softener decomposition accelerator liquid containing at least the softener decomposition accelerator;
And a mixed foam-like fixing liquid generating means for forming a foam-like fixing liquid by mixing the liquids stored in an independent state by the respective holding means.   2. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the mixed foam-like fixing liquid generating unit has a stirring mechanism for stirring a mixed liquid obtained by mixing liquids stored in an independent state by the holding units.   The mixed foam-like fixing liquid generating means includes: a mixed liquid generating means for generating a mixed liquid obtained by mixing liquids stored in an independent state by the holding means; and forming the foam-like fixing liquid by forming the mixed liquid into a foam. The fixing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a foam-like fixing liquid generating unit that generates the fixing device.   Supply channels for supplying the softener liquid from the first holding means, the foaming agent liquid from the second holding means, and the softener decomposition accelerator liquid from the third holding means, respectively. 4. The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid resistance of the merging flow path where the supply flow paths merge is smaller than the fluid resistance of the supply flow paths. 5.   The fixing device according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent decomposition accelerator is a hydrolase. An image forming unit that forms an unfixed toner image on a medium by performing an electrostatic recording process with a toner in which resin-containing fine particles contain a colorant and the fixing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An image forming apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that fixes a toner image onto a medium .

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